DirecTV plans to make use of AI to convert idle TV screens into new interactive experiences. The new experiences will be deployed through the use of Glance AI, thanks to a new agreement between Glance and DirecTV.
Key Takeaways
- DirecTV is partnering with Glance to transform idle TV screens into interactive, AI-powered experiences, starting with Gemini device users in early 2026.
- The new screensavers will offer real-time, personalized entertainment, news, weather, sports, and immersive shopping experiences.
- These AI-driven screensavers double as interactive ads, enabling access to products from hundreds of American brands.
The agreement is expected to result in DirecTV customers encountering a variety of new entertainment and shopping experiences, all of which will be personalized.
DirecTV streaming customers using Gemini devices are expected to be the first to encounter these new interactive AI-powered content and commerce screensavers when they begin rolling out in early 2026.
“DirecTV audiences who stream TV through our Gemini devices will now get the opportunity to reimagine their interactions with their TV screen, with personalized content, entertainment, news, and shopping recommendations in real time,” said Vikash Sharma, SVP, Product Marketing at DirecTV.
Although screensaver ads are not new in general, this agreement looks set to massively enhance the shopping aspect of the experience. Allowing users to do more than just click on a product and dig far deeper into the experience, effectively turning the screensaver into content in itself.
“Whether its sparking creativity in a family room using Glance’s AI looks on TV, or creating an AI feed of your favorite sports leagues on your idle-screens, or helping your kids discover their next dream vacation, or letting your partner instantly select a brand & reimagine themselves in the brand catalog right from their living-room TV itself, Glance AI makes it all come alive,” said Naveen Tewari, CEO & Founder, Glance.
Some of the different experiences DirecTV consumers can expect include:
- Engaging in interactive screensaver experiences across lifestyle, travel, health, auto, seasonal events, and local trends, directly on the TV screens.
- Stay up to date in real-time with live weather and sports scores tailored to their interests.
- Shopping smarter by discovering and engaging with products and brands in an AI-led virtual and visually immersive shopping experience that feels native to TV.
- Seamlessly going beyond the TV with new commerce experiences that extend via mobile devices.
While marketed as entertainment and shopping experiences, these are akin to interactive screensaver ads, and will prove especially beneficial to brands and advertisers. The two companies have already confirmed Glance AI will open the door to “hundreds of top American brands” and “millions of catalogs.”
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